live rock in sump, yes??? no???

[newreeferpa]

if i wanted to remove the bio-balls in the sump and add live rock and some plants ( i heard this was a better way to keep the tank healthy?)- what steps would i need to take? how much rock? what kind of plants? lights needed? etc. the size where the bio balls are is 9 1/2" long 13" high and 8" deep. have a 36 gallon tank. thanx for your help

 

[jmj6239]

I've heard this works using small live rock pieces, as for specifics wait for someone who has tried it for info.

 

[big]

I have a number of smaller pieces in mine. Along with my sand and chaeto. I think Chaeto is the number one thing to have for a good system, the more the better. If its only a sump maybe try adding a small light and make it into a fuge.
It is not as much for filtering in my case as having a readily available piece for attachment of any new frag in the DT if I ever need one.

 

[globaldesigns]

I use 2 different sizes of sand that then flow into live rock. I would recommend.

 

[curve]

I run rubble rock in all of my sumps with very good results. I run 30 lbs. or so and I dont use anything else.

 

[hurt]

Yes it's fine for LR to be in total darkness 24/7. The process of cooking live rock involves putting the rock in total darkness for several months to rid the rock of PO4 and other nutrients. Darkness leads to a bacterial driven environment instead of an algae driven environment to force the bacteria to cleanse the dirty LR. It is still LR after cooking is complete, only clean and does not leach nutrients back into your tank as dirty LR does.

 

[mr_x]

you need a light over this area if you are to keep plants.
chaetomorpha is the preferred macroalgae to use.
the reason for the rock rubble is to give pods a place to multiply, and to add more live rock surface area to your system.
here is the "high tech" light you will need(it's good to choose a bulb that has a color temperature of 5000-6500)-